Chicago Fire Sign Goalkeeper Richard Sanchez

CHICAGO (Aug. 11, 2017) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club acquired goalkeeper Richard Sanchez through Major League Soccer’s Allocation Process on Friday. In order to acquire Sanchez, the Fire sent the club’s natural third round pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft and the No. 19 spot in the Allocation Ranking Order to the Portland Timbers in exchange for the No. 6 spot. Should Sanchez appear in five or more games this season, the Timbers will receive the Fire’s natural second round SuperDraft pick instead of the natural third round pick. Sanchez is under contract for the 2017 season with club options for 2018 and 2019.

"With Jorge's unfortunate injury, we were in need of adding another quality goalkeeper,” said Fire general manager Nelson Rodríguez. “Richard's experience in big matches and his familiarity with MLS were an ideal combination."

Sanchez joins the Fire after most recently spending time with Liga MX side Tigres UANL, who he represented from 2014-17. While in Mexico, Sanchez was loaned to FC Dallas in 2014 and Tampico Madero in 2016-17. Sanchez appeared in five matches for La Jaiba Brava last season.

Sanchez began his professional career as a member of FC Dallas in 2011. In 2013 he was loaned to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and started 14 matches for the NASL side, recording a 1.428 goals against average and tallying three shutouts.

A Mexican Youth International, Sanchez helped lead Mexico to a FIFA U-17 World Cup title in 2011 and appeared in all four of Mexico’s matches in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2013.

Additionally, the Fire announced that goalkeeper Jorge Bava underwent left elbow Radial Collateral Ligament reconstruction surgery on Tuesday to repair the RCL. The procedure was performed by Dr. Mark Cohen at Midwest Orthopeadics at Rush to address a chronic issue. Bava is expected to miss approximately six to eight months and has been placed on the Season Ending Injury List.

Transaction: Chicago Fire Soccer Club acquires No. 6 spot in the Allocation Ranking Order from the Portland Timbers in exchange for the No. 19 spot and Chicago’s natural third round pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft.